Athlete’s foot is one of the most common fungal infections that generates temporary or chronic skin conditions. People with athlete’s foot may feel itching or burning in the affected areas. The skin may become red and cracked. In some cases, fungal conditions can contribute to some kinds of infection if they are not treated. A lot of athlete’s foot cases are very treatable with over the counter medications and common sense preventative or containment measures. Here are 3 treatment options when dealing with athlete's foot:
1. Medications
Some common over the counter medications often work very well on a case of athlete’s foot. One of these is terbinafine, commonly known as the brand name Lamisil. Another is clotramizole, the active ingredient in topical medications like Lotrimine. These topical products are applied to the skin daily to contain and diminish the fungus that is causing the uncomfortable symptoms.
2. Home Remedies
Some kinds of other non-pharmaceutical products can also be effective against athlete’s foot. Some people recommend using tea tree oil to contain or prevent the spread of the fungus. These will work similarly to the medications mentioned above. Take care to apply topical medications in between the toes where the fungus is most likely to be more aggressive. It will take some time, but proper and consistent care can often get athlete’s foot conditions to decrease and eventually disappear.
3. Home Care
A critical component of fighting athlete’s foot is the home care the goes along with any of the above topical treatments. This includes cleaning the affected area thoroughly before applying any topical ointment or cream. It also means changing socks as frequently as possible, wearing shoes with good ventilation, and avoiding any situations where the feet can be exposed to dampness or moisture. Lots of cases of athlete’s foot get started because of these kinds of environmental conditions, and carefully guarding against them can really quickly work against existing fungal outbreaks.
Some common tips can help with this home care regimen. Experts generally recommend wearing sandals or taking off shoes when indoors to allow feet to breathe and prevent the cloistered conditions that cause athlete’s foot to thrive.
Athlete’s Foot and Other Medical Conditions
Although athlete’s foot is usually a simple condition that appears on its own and goes away with reasonable treatment, these kinds of fungal infections are sometimes related to other health conditions. Before treating athlete’s foot, talk to your family doctor about the benefits and risks of all kinds of treatments available. Make sure to get a diagnosis of your condition to make sure it is not anything more serious, and to ask the doctor about any possible drug or medical interactions with proposed treatments.
It’s also a good idea to provide family medical history and a list of known allergies to your doctor. Keeping your medical history up to date and visiting your family doctor regularly will keep you on top of your overall health and specific conditions.
